Are You Ready For the Shuttle?
We all wanted to be astronauts when we were kids. We stuck pots on our heads and pretended to hear instructions from mission control, blissfully unaware of just how difficult it is to actually reach the stars. Space exploration is a lot more than cool suits and zero gravity; it’s a harsh process of study, practice, and language studies. Let’s dive into a few things our heroes need to do before they’re officially qualified!
1. Simulated Microgravity
You don’t know how difficult it is to navigate zero gravity until you’re exposed to it. Astronauts spend at least two years training before they strap in, and one of the biggest challenges is simulated microgravity. It gives them a chance to experience the weightlessness and work efficiently within it.
2. Physical Exercise
It’s important for anyone to exercise, but it’s especially crucial for those headed to space. Against microgravity, even the most everyday tasks are harder, and staying physically fit prepares them for maneuvering.
3. Hours in the Classroom
It’s one thing to shoot for the stars, but it’s another thing to study them. Astronauts spend hours in the classroom learning anything from orbital mechanics to meteorology. Don’t forget about math, geology, and computer science either!
4. Russian Proficiency
Believe it or not, astronauts need Russian proficiency if they want to travel to the ISS (International Space Station). Russian is one of the only two working languages at the ISS, and astronauts need to understand everything from spacecraft controls to basic instructions.
5. Underwater Training
Good news, aspiring astronauts—you’ve experienced a form of weightlessness before: the pool! While we doubt you wore a full-blown suit in the deep end, you still underwent a common type of training. Astronauts walk on pool floors to get better equipped for microgravity.
